People

John Zanazzi (J.J.)

Professor Dong Lai

Hi there! I am a fifth year graduate student working with Prof. Dong Lai in the area of Theoretical Astrophysics. I study dynamics in general, mainly of protoplanetary disks, but also of exoplanets, black holes, and neutron stars. I have also done a bit of work related to geophysics. My main research goal is to understand what astrophysical processes shaped the extra-solar planetary systems we see today.

I received my undergraduate degree from Northern Arizona University, with a merged B.S. degree in Physics & Astronomy, and a B.S. in Mathematics. I spent time doing undergraduate research at the University of California Davis (theoretical cosmology), Pennsylvania State University (dynamical systems), and Wayne State University (experimental nuclear physics), and participated in two semester-long mathematics study abroad programs at Pennsylvania State University and the Independent University of Moscow (in Russia).